Where can I purchase comfrey root cuttings?

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I can't seem to locate comfrey root cuttings anywhere. I see on the net that the government seems to say that it causes cancer in rats. That is probably why I can't find it. In old issues of Countryside, there were plenty of ads for the selling of comfrey. Why not now? Do they also cause cancer/problems in rabbits; because that's what I want the comfrey for?

-- Bruce J Fauvergue (verizon@ccrtc.com), December 28, 2001

Answers

Email me privately, I have them.

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 28, 2001.

Comfrey was known in the 1800's to treat and prevent Hoof and Mouth Diesease in cattle. Not sure if this is why the goverment is saying it is bad or not???

A caution on Confrey. Don't use if pregnant and be sure that you plant it where you can contain it. It will take over any area that you want and it is a bugger to get rid of it once going. Maybe use a large planter and never let it go to seed.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), December 28, 2001.


hey bruce, you should be able to find comfrey in practically any old homestead garden, lots of oldtimers should have comfrey, and shouldn't mind getting rid of some. It's rather invasive, and should be kept in check in your garden. The cancer thing from what I understand, is very over emphasised. Because of that one study, various governments have put a ban on comfrey for internal use on humans. Externally it is an amazing healing poultice, just be sure to add something antiseptic to it because it sometimes will heal things so fast that it closes infection in. Most people that I know with rabbits, feed them comfrey leaves religiously. The leaves are also an excellent mulch and compost additive, lots of calcium. I can't remember what the cancer csusing aspect was, but it is concentrated in the older plants and in the roots. Feed your rabbits spring and early summer greens, and I don't think you have to worry. I know people that eat early spring greens of comfrey, they have been doing it every spring for years. I have also eaten them with no ill effect but not oftem, or for extended periods of time. Because of what the governments say, I could not possibly recommend that you eat it, but suffice it to say you should be able to get some and feed it to yer wabbits, without worries of cancer. If you have no luck finding some, I could send you some roots, but I don't know where you are, and if your not in canada, it could be a hassle at the border. Try to find some locally, and if you can't email me. roberto

-- roberto pokachinni (pokachinni@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001.

Also another great place to find plants for postage cost, or trade is on www.gardenweb.com

I also have comfrey if you would like some..

Meagan

-- Meagan Fuson (fusons@ados.com), December 28, 2001.


I recall a guy in Crewe ,VA who grows and sells comfrey from an old Countryside article. The name stuck because we were living in VA at the time and I wanted to grow it. His name is bruce Burdge, he has written a few articles on it in Countryside. Hope this helps. I thought I saw him post here once.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), December 29, 2001.


You can purchase comfrey roots through either Mellingers catalog or Nichols Garden Nursery

-- BB (johnson@hotmail.com), December 29, 2001.

My sheep adore comfrey and in the fall when I let them into the paddock that has a lot of it they just clean it up bit by bit. Even the chickens help themselves to it. Everyone seems healthy enough.

-- Kathy M. (homefarmbc@pacificcoast.net), December 29, 2001.

Andy Lee of Chicken Tractor book fame is a big fan of comfrey as an animal fodder and compost starter.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), December 29, 2001.

I heard a speaker at an herb conference say that the comfrey used in the study was "Russian" comfrey. I haven't heard that anywhere else but I'd like to see the actual study.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), January 03, 2002.

I have understood some of the studies were done on 1)animals 2) in quantities that no sane animal or person would ingest and 3) using extracts of the herbs (by this I mean extracting certain elements of the herb itself and ignoring others). In the last category, this would give a false reading, as often herbs are created as a WHOLE and separated something could be harmful, but the plant as an entirety has something else to counterbalance.

I personally still fearlessly use comfrey.

I will send you some if the other offer doesn't pan out if you email me privately.

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), January 03, 2002.



Am still selling Comfrey, 10 root cuttings postpaid $9.95 to Bruce Burdge P O Box 10 Jetersville, Va. 23083

-- Bruce Burdge (comfreybruce@richmond.com), February 28, 2002.

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